Signaling mechanism.



J. FEARS. SIGNALING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1912.

1 131 353. Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1 q WITNESSES INVENTOR THE NORRIS PETERS 70v PHOTO-LITHOY, \VASHINGIDN4 D l J? "m 9 M 4 Mme)" J. FEARS. SIGNALING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED HOV.21, 1912. 1,131,353. Patented Mar.9, 1915.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR Y M? e dams; m f; j

YHE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHING roN. D. C.

J. FEARS.

SIGNALING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1912 1,181,353. Patented Mar.9,1915.

4 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

.HE vowels PETERS co PHOTOVLYITHO WASHING rorv. u c

J. FEARS.

SIGNALING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 21, 1912v 1,131,353, Patented Mam), 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

Hineoow as v A u 21 V I o attomena'i THE NORRIS PETERS Co F'HOTOJJTHO. WASH/NC ION, D c.

UNITED STATEg PATENT @FF/ltlil.

JOHN FEARS, GF WACO, TEXAS.

SIGNALING MECHANISM.

Application filed November 21, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, Jul-IN FEARS, citizen of the United States, residing at \Vaco, in the county of McLennan and State of T exas, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Signaling Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in railway signaling mechanisms.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a train actuated signal for grade crossings in which the wheels of the train will actuate a mechanical signal operating mechanism, the signaling mechanism being operated at a point in advance of the train, the mechanisms being continuously actuated while the train is passing over a certain portion of the track.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which, after the train has operated the signal will be operated by the truck of the last car to restore the signal devices to normal position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction which will positively operate under all weather conditions, the construction being such that the mechanism is not as liable to get out of order as when electrical signal actuating mechanism is used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which may be positioned at any point along the track without in any way altering the ties or rails.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal actuating mechanism which while positive in its operation may be maintained at small cost and may be assembled and repaired by unskilled mechanics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal operating mechanism which will constantly actuate a bell and target, the bell being rung continuously during the passage of a train over the actuating mechanism, the target being raised and lowered during the ringing of the bell.

In the drawings: Figure l is a top plan view, one of the rails being broken away to show the arrangement of the signal actuating mechanism; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the signal actuating mechanism; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the bell ringing and target actuating mechanism; Fig. i is a detail view of the restoring mechanism; Fig. 5 is an elevation of the signal actuating mechanism in set or normal position;

Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented Mar. 9, 3 .915. Serial No. 732,696.

F 1g. 6 is an elevation of the mechanism in its released position; Fig. 7 is a detail view showing a modified form of wheel actuating plunger. Fig. 8 is a side elevation partly in sectlon, of the signaling portion of the improved apparatus.

This invention includes a mechanism adapted to be actuated by the wheel flanges of a train approaching a crossing to cause a gong to be repeatedly sounded while the train 1s passing over a certain predetermined portlon of the track, and also includes a target device arranged to be continuously moved from side to side or otherwise, during the time that the gong is sounded to attract the attention of a person approaching the track and notifying them of the approachlng train.

The improved device may be applied to a track without material alterations or changes in the rails or the ties and which does not in any manner interfere with the ordinary operation of the train.

An approved mechanism for accomplishing the desired results is shown in the drawings and includes a stand or support 10 located adjacent one of the rails of the track and preferably beneath the ties and at a considerable distance from the crossing which it is desired to protect. A standard 11 extends vertically from the member 10 at one end and pivotally supports a lever or trigger device 12 supported in a horizontal position and with a vertical extension 42. The longer portion 12 of the trigger device is prevented from lateral displacement by a vertical guide member 13 which is slotted at 14 to receive the member 12. Rising from the member 10 is a block 20 to which a resilient arm 15 is connected at one side and having a laterally directed lip 16 at its upper end to engage over the terminal 17 of the member 12 and holding the member 12 in its depressed position. A spring 18 is connected to the block 20 at the side opposite to the member 15 and is curved toward the latter and bears constantly against it at 19. The members 1518 thus coact to maintain the member 15 yieldably in engagement with the terminal 17 of the member 12. Ears 30 rise from the member 10 near its opposite end and pivotally support a bell-crank lever including arms 29-83 at 32. A rod 25 is pivoted at one end at 28 to the bell-crank arm 29 and formed with a curved offset 27 and pivoted thereby to the standard 15.

Pivoted to the bell-crank arm 33 is a bar 34 having an offset 35 at its upper end and terminating in an enlarged head 36. As before stated, the member 10 is preferably located beneath the ties of the railway track adjacent to one of the rails, indicated conventionally at 37,- and bearing upon the ties above the member 10 is a guide plate 92 having an aperture through which the upper portion 35 of the member 34 is slidably engaged, thus maintaining the head 36 constantly above the plate.

Connected by a forked portion 39 to the trigger member 12 is a standard device 38 having an enlarged head 40, the member 38 extending through an aperture in the guide 92, which thus maintains the head 40 constantly above the plate and spaced from the head 36. The enlarged heads 36-40 are thus located adjacent to the rail 37, or in position to be engaged by the flanges of the wheels of the passing train. Rising from the member 10 intermediate its ends is another standard 21 having an offset 22 at its upper end and forked to receive an arm 23 which is pivoted at 25 in the fork and thus arranged to oscillate. A bar 26 connects the arm 23 at its lower end to the bar 25, so that when the member 34 is depressed the members 2526 will be simultaneously actuated, the object to be hereafter explained. As before stated, the member 10 with its attachments, is located at a considerable distance from the crossing which is to be protected, and located beneath the ties at one side of the crossing and adjacent thereto is a supporting member 44 having a bell-crank lever including arms 46-47 and pivoted to the standard at 45. A rod 41 connects the vertical portion 42 of the trigger device to the bell crank lever arm 47, so that the operation of the member 12-42 will correspondingly actuate the members 41 and the bellcrank lever 4647. Rising from the member 44 is a divided stud 50 in which a bell crank lever including arms 51-53 is pivoted, the bell-crank lever arm 51 being connected by a rod 43 with the upper end of the arm 23. Rising from the bell-crank lever arm 53 is a plunger 54 which extends through a guide plate 55 adapted to be attached to one of the ties. At its upper end the member 54 extends into the path of the flanges of the wheels of the train passing over the rails, so that the flanges of the wheels will depress the member 54 as they pass over it.

Rising from the roadbed is a standard or support 58, the latter being suitably supported in a rigid position, and spaced a suflicient distance from the railway track to permit the free passing of the trains, and constantly in sight of persons approaching the crossing. Connected to the standard 58 is a base plate 57 having a bell-crank lever andincluding arms 56-59 pivoted thereon.

A cable 48 connects the bell-crank lever arm 56 to the bell-crank lever arm 46. Mounted upon the standard 58 is a gong 75, and a striking mechanism cooperating with the gong forms a part of the improved device. Secured to the standard 58 adjacent to the gong 75 is a bracket-like support 72 having a shaft 67 pivoted at one end therein and pivoted at the other end in the standard 58. The shaft 67 is provided with an arm 74 carrying a hammer 7 3 in position to engage the gong when the shaft 67 is oscillated.

A lug 64 extends from a plate 65 and the latter is attached to the standard 58, and pivoted'at 63 to the lug is an arm 62, and connecting the arm 62 with the bell-crank lever arm 59 is a rod 60, so that the opera tion of the bell-crank lever 5659 will correspondingly actuate the arm 62. Extending from the shaft 67 is a loop or eye 66 to which the free end of the arm 62 is connected. A spring 69 is connected to the loop 66 at one end and at the other end at 70 to the standard 58 and thus exerts its force to maintain the shaft 67 and its arm 74 yieldably in one position or with the hammer 7 3 normally in its upward position.

Pivoted at 82 to the standard 58 is a swinging target device comprising a lower portion 81 and an upper portion 80, the latter being preferably painted in a variety of colors to attract attention of a person approaching the crossing. The portion 81 of the target is likewise apertured to receive a signal light for use at night. A flag represented at 85 is supported from the member and suitably braced as shown at 83, and partakes of the motion of the member 80. Pivoted upon the standard 58 is a lever arm 77, the pivot of the lever arm being located at one side of its center whereby a short arm and a long arm are produced. A rod 61 connects the arm 59 of the bellcrank of the standard 58 to the shorter end of the lever 77, while a rod 78 connects the longer portion of the lever 77 to the shorter end of the portion 81 of the target device. A spring 84 connects the longer portion of the lever 77 with the standard 58, and thus operates to maintain the target device 80 in vertical position, and the flag 85 attached thereto in the position shown in Fig. 8.

With a device thus constructed the operation is as follows: Normally the members 3640 will be in the position shown in Fig. 6, or with the members 36 and 40 in elevated position and with the target device 80 and its flag 85 in the position shown in Fig. 8, the spring 96 being relaxed to permit the striker 73 to remain in its lower position, as shown in Fig. 3. As the train approaches, the flange of the first wheel, usually one of the forward truck wheels of the locomotive, engages the member 36 and depresses the bar 34-35 and actuates the bell-crank lever 2933, this movement exerting a pulling force upon the member 25-27 and moving the lip 16 of the standard 15 away from the terminal 17 of the trigger device 12 but not affecting the member 12 and its connections, as the members 3840, as before stated, are normally in relaxed position. As the train continues its movement the same wheel flange which has actuated the member 3536 now engages the member 40 and depresses the trigger device 12 and engages the terminal 17 with the lip 16 of the resilient member 15 and locks the member 12 and its attachments in position. This downward movement of the member 12 exerts a pulling force upon the arm 62 through the action of the connecting members previously described, and oscillates the shaft 67 and elevates the hammer 73 and at the same time places the spring 69 under tension. As the train continues its movement the flange of the next wheel engages the member 36 and again exerts a pulling force upon the member 15 and releases the member 12 by withdrawing the lip 16 from the terminal 17. The spring 69 having been held under stretched suspension by the downward position of the trigger device 12 is now released and exerts its force to oscillate the shaft 67 and throw the hammer 7 3 into engagement with the gong striking the latter one blow. As the trigger device 12 is moved into its upper position it carries the member 3840 with it and elevates the latter into the position shown in Fig. 6, and the same wheel flange which has actuated the member 3l3536 then engages the members 38 10 and depresses the latter and forces the terminal 17 of the trigger device beneath the lip 16 of the member 15, and resets the trigger device and likewise restores the hammer 73 to its upper position, as before, through the coaction of the various rods and crank arms.

The above described manipulation of the gong striking mechanism likewise actnates the connecting rod 61 and causes the target device and its flange to be swung upon the pivot 82 and thus present a waving target and flag to the person approaching the crossing at the same time that the gong is sounded. As the next wheel of the train reaches the member 34L3536 the latter is again depressed and the operation repeated, and as the second wheel approaches the member 3835-40 the device is again automatically set into normal position, as will be obvious. By this means as the wheels pass over the portions 36-40 consecutively as the train proceeds the signal gong is sounded and the target vibrated once for each wheel of the train, and this movement will be continued so long as the train is passing over the members 86-40. As the wheels of the cars pass over the member 54 the latter is depressed with the result of actuating the crank arms 5153 and the rod 43 and throwing the member 25 positively in its rearward position, and thus releasing the standard 15 and permitting the trigger device to be released and assume the position shown in Fig. 6.

The many advantages of a construction of this character will be clearly apparent, and it will be noted that the device will be effectually operated to sound a signal and to display a waving target and flag in the day time or a waving light at night. The arrangement is such that it will not be affected by weather conditions and may be economically constructed and the various parts readily assembled.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings a plurality of rail pieces are supported by the members 3536 and 38 in position to be actuated by the flanges of the wheels. These rail pieces 95 and 96 are connected respectively at the point 97 with the members 36 and 40, the terminals 9899 of the members 959G being slotted to receive pins by which they are engaged with the ties and thus permitting movement of the rail pieces as the members 3435 and 38 are depressed. It will be noted by this construction that the flanges of the wheels will not violently contact with the operating members, but will gradually ride over the rail pieces to actuate the members 36 l0.

Various changes may be made in the con struction within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the principle of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a signaling mechanism including a striker, means for operating said striker, a target movably mounted, means for operating said target, a trigger device located in the path of a moving train, yieldable means for holding said trigger device depressed, means whereby the striker operating mechanism and the target operating mechanism are actuated by said trigger device, and means whereby said yieldable trigger holding means is released by a moving train.

2. In a signaling apparatus, a gong, a striker mechanism for said gong, means for operating said striker mechanism, a target movably mounted, means for operating said target, a trigger device located in the path of a moving train, yieldable means for holding said trigger device depressed, means whereby the striker operating mechanism and the target operating mechanism are actuated by said trigger device, and means whereby said yieldable trigger holding means is releaesd by a moving train.

3. In a signaling apparatus, a gong, a rock shaft, a striker carried by said rock shaft in position to engage said gong, an arm extending from said shaft, a spring engaging said arm and operating to hold said shaft and its striker yieldably in one position, a lever engaging said rock shaft arm, a trigger device, connecting means between said trigger device and said lever, and trigger releasing means arranged to be operated by a moving train.

4. In a signaling apparatus, a trigger de vice located in the path of a moving train, yieldable means for holding said trigger device, a signal mechanism rendered operative by said trigger device, and means operated by a moving train for releasing said yieldable trigger holding means.

5. A signaling apparatus including a mechanism for operating the same, means for yieldably holding said mechanism in one position, means operative by an approaching train for releasing said holding means, means operative by an approaching train for restoring said holding means to its first position, and means operative by a departing train for releasing said holding means. 25

6. In a signaling apparatus, a gong, a

In testimony whereof I aliiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN FEARS. 1 8.1

Witnesses:

LAWRENCE HALL, HENRY CONWAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. C. 

